Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-07-27
Governor Bodwell Speaks
He DEFINES HIS Position IN REGARD TO
THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE PRoHIBI-
TON LAW.

special to the Portland Evening Express
of Monday says
Gov. Bodwell was met today by reporter
for the Express on the return of the former
from Small Point where he has summer
residence. and the course of conversation
turned upon the temperance question and the
comparative condition of Maine with other
States.
Upon this point the Governor said, II can
speak positively from my own observation
and experience. OF course | am familiar
with this State and my business calls me into
many other States. | do not hesitate to say
that nowhere that have been are the people
so free from all the evils incident to the liquor
traffic as in this State. | am interested in
granite quarries and employ large numbers
of men. We experience scarcely any incon-
venience with our help Immediately after
pay day. They are generally on hand after
pay day as well as before. l have done bust
ness in other States where the liquor traffic was
not prohibited or in any way suppressed. We
had one quarry in Keene, N. H., several
years ago, where we worked a large number
of men. At that time the liquor traffic was
unsurpassed, and it was not an uncommon
thing after payday to find at least % per
cent of our help absent from one day to
week; and many Of them had families and
would spend nearly their months wages for
rum before they returned to work. We also
are running quite large crew of men IN In
diana, where liquor is sold freely. The same
difficulty occurs there as did in New Hamp-
shire, and cannot but notice the contrast
between those localities where liquor is sold
freely and our loo alties here in Maine, where
we suppress the sale to a great extent. We
fud the more we enforce the law the less
trouble we have with the men. Our men
now, as class, are becoming more indepen-
dent; their families are better clothed and
schooled than ever before; generally they
are saving up money for future wants, much
of which would be spent for rum, by some of
them, If it was readily obtained"
"Then, Governor, you take no stock IN
the reports circulated throughout the coun
try that there is more liquor selling and
drinking throughout Maine than ever be-
fore p
"None whatever. | am constantly in re-
ceipt of letters from all over the Union asking
if il is true that drunkenness exists in Maine
to an alarming extent. Any candid inquirer
can best satisfy himself, on this point, by
visiting Maine and making an investigation
for himself. No friend of Prohibition need
fear the most careful comparison with any
license State"
1.-The charge has been made, Governor,
that the proceedings against Burns grew out
of political feeling"
THAT charge Is entirely absurd. do not
know Mr.. Burns, neve. met him TO my knowi
edge aud did not know what his political sem
timents were My attention was called to
him by one of our workmen who, with some
two or three others, went to Augusta and
bought package of liquor just before the
4th of July. They brought it home and
divided it up and became intoxicated from t.
One of them had family of five or six chill
dreu and was taken home twice, int pxicatei,
by the city marshal or his deputy. After in
vestigating the matter, l made up my mind
that would test the question whether liquor
could be sold in the original packages in
defiance of any law our State could make.
Therefore l proceeded at once to look into
the matter and. from the best informa-
ton could get, satisfied myself that the
Courts would not sustain the position Mr.
Burns had taken, and therefore proceeded
against him and made the seizure.
"Do you intend to stop there and make no
| further seizures"
ITO that wish to say, did intend to pro-
coed at once against all who were selling in
the original packages, but, 90 investigating
the matter, find that after it has gotten up
to the Superior Court. which will be in
September. should we have decision in our
favor, which I have no doubt we shall, un-
doubtedly Mr.. Burns will appeal to the
the Supreme Court for decision Of the full
bench of judges of our State, and did aot
suppose shat could be reached before MAY,
IS, which would give the liquor dealers in
original packages nearly years time to car
~ on their traffic. But I have ascertained
that spsc isl session OF the Court can be
had, so that We can get decision from them
probably by jan. next, and therefore / have
concluded to proceed with this case a. rapid
ly as possible and wait for tue decision of the
Judges before advising any further seizure. If
the decision is in our favor, which l am conf
dent it will be, steps will be taken throughout
the State to stop the sale in original pack
ages, trusting to the further decision of the
U S. Court, where no doubt the case will be
carried, and where am confident that the
decision will not authorize the sale of intoxi
eating liquors 10 the State of Maine against
the laws which the people have enacted for
their protection"
stWhat has promnted vou tn the >t;vo atom.